The atmosphere in the room was suffocating.
No one dared to breathe too loudly.
But of course.
That didn't stop her.
Bai Lianhua slowly lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She clung weakly to Shen Mingyuan's sleeve, her voice trembling like she was on the verge of collapse.
"…Brother Mingyuan…"
She looked at him with that same deceiving, pitiful expression.
I started emotionless.
Still acting?
Before I could speak, Shen Mingyuan suddenly stepped forward, his face filled with anger.
Oh… Mother, you're finally awake…?
"Mother!" he said loudly. "You don't understand the situation!"
He pointed accusingly at someone behind him.
"This Lin Yurou is a venomous snake!
She even tried to burn Bai Lianhua alive!"
The room gasped.
All eyes turned.
Lin Yurou stood there, pale, silent, her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves.
She didn't defend herself.
Didn't speak.
Just endured.
My eyes narrowed slightly.
So that's the script?
Right on cue.
Chunmei rushed back in, holding a bowl carefully in both hands.
"Madam… the… treasure…"
She was still confused, but didn't dare question me.
I took the bowl from her slowly.
Inside.
White powder.
Fine.
Soft.
Almost like chalk.
"…Good."
Meanwhile, Shen Mingyuan was still talking.
"…Mother, you must punish her properly!
A woman like that"
I dipped my fingers into the powder calmly.
Then.
SLAP!
The sound exploded in the room.
Shen Mingyuan's head snapped to the side.
His body lost balance instantly.
"Brother!"
Shen Jinghao rushed forward, grabbing him before he hit the ground.
The entire room froze.
I tilted my head slightly.
"You stupid man."
My voice was cold.
"Obsessed with a green tea and can't even tell right from wrong."
Shen Mingyuan's ears rang.
He hadn't even recovered.
SLAP!
Another strike landed.
"Little idiot," I continued, my tone sharp, "who can't distinguish black from white."
Before he could react.
I stepped forward.
I'll let you experience proper motherly love,"
Then.
PA!
A heavy slap landed across his face with full force.
The impact made his body spin slightly before he staggered back.
He looked completely dazed.
The room was dead silent.
Then.
"Mother, please forgive eldest brother!"
A woman's voice broke the tension.
The second daughter-in-law Zhou Yuxin stepped forward quickly, bowing slightly, trying to stop things from escalating.
But before I could respond.
"Shut up!"
Shen Jinghao snapped harshly.
He turned to her with a frown.
"You're just a merchant's daughter. What do you know about family matters?"
She froze instantly.
Didn't dare speak again.
Then.
Shen Jinghao turned to me.
A smile appeared on his face.
Polite.
Careful.
Trying to read the situation.
"Mother…" he said gently, stepping forward. "You've just recovered.
Don't overexert yourself…"
His eyes flickered slightly.
Clearly thinking.
He won't get hit.
I looked at him.
Slowly.
"…Did your hand hurt from hitting him?" he added, smiling lightly.
"Should I call the physician"
"Screw you."
Before he could finish.
SLAP!
The sound echoed just as loudly.
His smile froze.
His head turned sharply to the side.
His entire body stiffened.
Confusion filled his face.
He didn't even understand what just happened.
Behind him.
Shen Mingyuan, still dizzy, actually let out a small, silent laugh.
At least he wasn't the only one anymore.
I looked at Shen Jinghao coldly.
"I don't think you're any better either."
His expression cracked.
"…Mother…"
He instinctively stepped back.
Good.
Now they were learning.
Before the tension could settle.
Bai Lianhua rushed forward again.
Of course she did.
"Auntie, please stop!" she cried, her voice trembling. "Don't hit Brother Shen Mingyuan anymore!"
She stood between us, looking like she was sacrificing herself.
"If you're angry…"
She lifted her head bravely.
"…then hit me instead!"
The room held its breath.
I looked at her.
For a moment.
I said nothing.
Then.
"…Okay."
Her eyes widened slightly.
Before she could react.
SLAP!
"Ahh!"
She screamed as her body stumbled backward again.
Her face turned red instantly.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Humiliation.
I shook my hand lightly.
Completely calm.
"I've told you before," I said, my tone steady.
My lips curved slightly.
"I am a woman with very stable emotions."